Historical and cultural attractions in the South Bay offer the chance to explore the past as it was back then, as well as to get up-close and hands-on with the innovation and creativity you would expect from Silicon Valley. One moment, wander through a wondrous mansion designed by a haunted heiress, and the next enter an Egyptian burial chamber like those for dignitaries from four millennia ago — or get in touch with your inner duke and duchess at a sprawling country estate worthy of Downton Abbey. Here are some of the best places to visit in the South Bay.
Featured Photo: Filoli Gardens
180 Woz Way, San Jose
408.298.5437
There’s plenty of interactive fun to keep kids busy at this well-appointed children’s museum, including a two-story exhibit exploring the power of air, a hands-on art studio, the ever-popular water exploration station and even a number of outdoor activities — not to mention a full calendar of cultural community events. A new eatery onsite from iJAVA Cafe offers grab-and-go snacks, salads and sandwiches made from locally sourced ingredients, ensuring wee ones have enough fuel to power their imaginations.
1651 Coyote Point Drive, San Mateo
650.342.7755
This interactive science playground and zoo perched on a hill in the Cayote Point Recreation Area overlooking the bay has long been a go-to for Peninsula parents looking for an educational and fun kid-centric diversion. Learn about the Bay Area’s native animals by walking through the aviary, visiting the many exhibits like the frisky river otter habitat and partaking in one of the daily animal presentations. Inside, explore the compact, hands-on science center, where activities featuring levers, pullies, balls and mirrors invite exploration and discovery.
86 Cañada Road, Woodside
650.364.8300
Empire Gold Mine owner William Bourne II had the 43-room Filoli mansion built in 1915 to “create a magnificent and enduring country estate.” The grand, elegant home is surrounded by 16 acres of astonishing gardens, arbors, water features and pavilions that are tended by 14 full-time horticulturalists. The 654-acre estate, surrounded by 23,000 acres of protected watershed, is just 30 miles south of San Francisco, but offers a complete escape from urban landscapes. It’s bigger than it looks, so set aside plenty of time to explore the house and gardens.
748 Story Road, San José
408.794.6400
Beloved by South Bay families since it opened in 1961 (when admission was 10 cents for children and 15 cents for adults!), this 16-acre zoo and amusement park delights young visitors with its many interactive animal exhibits and kid-approved rides and play structures. Among the fan favorite attractions are the Double-H Ranch, where kids can feed sheep and goats; the topsy turvy Crooked House; the Keep-Around Carousel, which features both fantasy and endangered animals; and the Danny the Dragon “storytelling adventure” ride.
601 Skyway Road, San Carlos
650.654.0200
The museum started as an eclectic private collection of aircraft prototypes and test vehicles, assembled by helicopter designer Stanley Hiller Jr., that eventually opened to the public in 1998. The roster of more than 50 aircraft includes: the Boeing Condor, a secret unmanned spy plane used in the 1980s that is bigger than a B-52 bomber; and the Hiller XROE-1 “Rotorcycle,” a full-size helicopter built in 1956 that collapses down into a portable pod. Also included are exhibits on the Beginnings of Flight and the nose section of a Boeing 747-100, including the First Class cabin and the cockpit.
635 Phelan Ave., San Jose
408.287.2290
Step back in time by visiting this 14-acre park operated by History San Jose featuring more than 30 original and reproduction furnished homes, businesses, museums and landmarks. Ride the trolly through “town;” explore on foot; or book a guided walking tour, offered on Wednesdays and Fridays, on the History San Jose website. Before you go, make sure to enjoy a sweet treat at O’Brien’s Ice Cream Parlor.
7281 Mount Hamilton Rd., Mount Hamilton
408.274.5061
The views alone may be reason enough for some to make the drive up to the remote Lick Observatory, set atop the 4,200-foot summit of Mt. Hamilton, but don’t miss the opportunity to step inside. Founded in 1888 as a University of California multi-campus research facility, the observatory welcomes the public to visit the Shane Visitor’s Gallery, open daily, and the visitor center and gift shop, open on Saturdays and Sundays. For a chance to view the night sky through the observatory’s Nickel 1-m telescope and the Lick 36″ telescope, as well as several smaller telescopes, be sure to sign up for one of the summer evening events.
1660 Park Ave., San Jose
408.947.3635
With more than 4,000 objects, the museum is home to one of the largest collections of ancient Egyptian artifacts in North America. The collection is divided among exhibits covering daily life, the afterlife, alchemy, religion and Egypt’s rulers. Explore a full-size recreation of an ancient rock-cut tomb, complete with burial chamber, modeled on burial sites used for prominent officials 4,000 years ago, then gaze at the face of the Lady of the House Ta’awa, painted on her coffin some 2,500 years ago. The museum is part of the larger Rosicrucian Park, which includes a peace garden, labyrinth and the Alchemy Museum.
110 South Market St., San Jose
408.271.6840
With a permanent collection that encompasses 2,500 modern and contemporary artworks, along with a selection of special exhibitions each year, the San Jose Museum of Art in Downtown San Jose prides itself on championing inclusivity, new thinking and visionary ideas. Regular events enhance the visitor experience, including Thursday After Hours nights, when the museum stays open until 9 p.m. and visitors can enjoy food and drinks at the museum café, El Cafecito, by Mezcal, and monthly First Fridays, featuring a DJ, bar and free admission to the galleries from 6–9 p.m.
377 Santana Row, San Jose
408.551.4611
From world-class eateries and entertainment to trend-forward shops and wellness destinations, you’ll find it all on San Jose’s Santana Row. It’s easy to spend a full day wandering the pedestrian-friendly thoroughfare, but you can also stay overnight at the boutique luxury property Hotel Valencia, which boasts a heated outdoor rooftop pool, tapas restaurant and two stylish bars.
201 S Market St., San Jose
408.294.8324
Formerly the Tech Museum of Innovation, this family-friendly science and technology center offers hands-on activities, labs and “design challenge experiences” with the goal of motivating the next generation of innovators through creativity and curiosity. The Tech is housed in a 132,000-square-foot facility that is a downtown San Jose landmark and includes an IMAX theater. Exhibits include Social Robot stations for building and programming your own robot, and the popular Body World Decoded, which displays eight plastinated bodies and more than 60 anatomical specimens.
201 S Second St., suite 150, San Jose
408.352.5403
Fans of the former Urban Putt (now Holey Moley under new ownership) in San Francisco need only travel south to Downtown San Jose to relive the magic of founder Steve Fox’s one-of-a-kind indoor mini golf venue. Opened in 2024, Urban Putt’s San Jose location features an imaginative 18-hole course, as well as a restaurant and bar featuring burgers, pizza, creative cocktails and craft brews.
525 S Winchester Blvd., San Jose
408.247.2000
This bizarre sprawling, 160-room mansion that took 38 years to build is the physical story of Sarah Winchester, heiress to the Winchester rifle fortune, and her continuous attempts to dodge evil spirits. She was told by a spiritualist in the 1880s she needed to continuously build the house to prevent being haunted by victims of the company’s guns. Inside are puzzling features, including staircases that go nowhere, windows set into floors and “decoy doors” to confuse the spirits. Guided and self-guided tours of the mansion are available, as well as a tour of the gardens and an ax-throwing experience in the stables.
